Dementia Friendly exercise programme launched at Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub
During the ‘quiet’ hour the music in the gym will either be turned down or off completely so as to provide a more comfortable environment for people living with dementia to be active in.
Noise can be distracting and a barrier to participation for people living with dementia, which is why these quiet activities have been designed to support people in Warrington living with dementia and their carers.
Trained instructors will be on hand to provide dedicated support and help to anyone using the gym during this hour.
The ‘quiet’ hour is now running every Mondays from 11.00am to 12noon and will be extended to include Thursdays from 1.00pm to 2.00pm from 28th February. This time in the gym is ideal for both people living with dementia and their carers.
The sessions may also be suitable for people with other neurological conditions such as MS, Parkinson’s and Autism.
To complement the ‘quiet’ hour LiveWire also provides a Healthy and Happy Class, being held Mondays from 10.30am to 11.30am.
This class will focus on both the physical and mental health of people affected by dementia, either personally or as a carer including 30-40 minutes of low impact exercise, followed by a period of relaxation. Dementia carers are themselves at risk of developing dementia. There are several physical and mental health risk factors for dementia which LiveWire is attempting to be addressed through the ‘Healthy and Happy’ classes.
Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub has been designed as a ‘dementia-friendly’ building, which means it provides a safe and supportive environment where people affected by dementia feel comfortable to come and be active.
LiveWire has partnered with the Dementia Champions Steering Group in Warrington to develop this tailored exercise programme for people affected by dementia and their carers, which launched on Monday 21st January 2019.
With a focus on both the physical and mental health of people with dementia and their carers, the programme will help to improve strength, balance and fitness and will be tailored for individuals’ abilities, whilst also providing an opportunity for people living with dementia – and their carers – to socialise and receive support.
The exercise timetable as a whole at Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub will embrace the dementia-friendly ethos, with instructors undergoing training to enable them to deliver sensitive advice and guidance to people living with dementia. LiveWire hopes the centre will become the first public building in England to achieve the University of Stirling’s Gold Accreditation Certificate for Dementia Design.
For more information on the Dementia Friendly programme at Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub, please contact Catriona Sudlow on 01925 264 996.
